Claims that there’s a system capable of abruptly halting F-35 aircraft and that the US, as the manufacturing country, could use this system whenever desired have sparked debates in European countries. Some nations are reportedly reconsidering their orders for these planes.

F-35 fighter jets have been a hot topic in Europe lately. It is alleged that a secret “kill switch” exists in these aircraft, allowing the US to remotely render them unusable at a moment’s notice. The manufacturers, led by American Lockheed Martin, firmly deny these claims.

“KILL SWITCH” ALLEGATIONS: Nonetheless, experts point out that even without a “kill switch,” there is a dependency on the US for software updates and spare parts. It is suggested that the US could impede the aircraft’s use by cutting off technical support.

“US MUST BE INFORMED ON EVERY FLIGHT”: Reports in the German Stern magazine have further fueled these debates. The magazine obtained the contract Germany signed for the purchase of F-35s. The contract stipulates that Germany must inform the US in advance for every flight. It also requires Germany to input all usage data into the Amazon cloud storage system.

US COULD GROUND THE F-35s: It is said that the US Department of Defense, the Pentagon, insists on reserving the right to ground F-35 flights in extraordinary and emergency situations deemed necessary for national interests.

It is also noted that the Pentagon has not allowed German officials to inspect the computer code controlling the aircraft. This US dominance over the planes has raised concerns among European countries.

CONCERNS INTENSIFIED WITH UKRAINE: According to the British newspaper The Times, these concerns escalated when the US temporarily cut off military aid to Ukraine, ceasing hardware and spare part transfers. Some European countries, worried about the inconsistent behavior of the Trump administration, are said to be reconsidering their arms orders from the US.

COUNTRIES CANCELING ORDERS: The Times reported that 21 countries that have bought or ordered F-35 aircraft harbor serious concerns. While the UK and the Netherlands state they will continue to use the planes, Canada and Portugal are reviewing canceling their orders. Calls to cancel the orders are beginning to surface in Germany, which ordered 35 aircraft for 2023. The German Ministry of Defence has declared that it will adhere to the agreements made with the US regarding the F-35s.